Lobelia plant named `Azuro`

ABSTRACT

A distinctive cultivar of Lobelia, Lobelia erinus L., plant named Azuro, Characterized by its compact and rounded plant habit; numerous dark blue flowers; early flowering; and long flowering period.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Lobeliaplant, botanically known as Lobelia erinus L., and hereinafter referredto by the cultivar name Azuro. The new cultivar was discovered by theinventor in Sudlohn-Oeding, Germany, as a naturally-ocurring mutation ofan unnamed cultivar of the species Lobelia erinus L. and was observed ina group of plants of the parent cultivar in the spring of 1991. Asexualreproduction of the new cultivar by cuttings in Sudlohn-Oeding, Germany,has shown that the unique features of this new Lobelia are stable andare reproduced true to type in successive propagations. The new cultivarhas not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Thephenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such astemperature and light and fertility levels, without, however, anyvariance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of Azuro:

1. Compact and rounded plant habit.

2. Numerous dark blue flowers.

3. Early flowering.

4. Long flowering period. The following characteristics differentiatethe new Lobelia from the parent and from the species Lobelia erinus L.:

1. Plants of the new Lobelia are more compact and more rounded thanplants of the parent cultivar and of the species Lobelia erinus L.

2. Plants of the new Lobelia have a more intense blue flower color thanplants of the parent cultivar and of the species Lobelia erinus L.

3. Plants of the new Lobelia flower earlier and more profusely thanplants of the parent cultivar and of the species Lobelia erinus L.

4. Plants of the new Lobelia flower for a longer period of time thanplants of the parent cultivar and of the species Lobelia erinus L.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overall appearanceand flower color of the new Lobelia, showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Thephotograph comprises a side perspective view of a typical hanging basketand a close-up view of typical flowers and leaves of Azuro. Actualflower and foliage colors may differ from flower and foliage colors inthe photograph due to light reflectance.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements, values, and comparisonsdescribe plants grown in Snohomish, Wash., under commercial greenhousepractice. In the following description, color references are made to TheRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

Botanical classification: Lobelia erinus L. cultivar Azuro.

Parentage: Naturally-occurring mutation of an unnamed cultivar ofspecies Lobelia erinus L.

Propagation:

Type.--By cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.--About 12 days.

Rooting habit.--Root system is fibrous.

Plant description:

Plant form.--Upright and rounded perennial flowering plant. Freelybranching with lateral branches forming at every node. Plants uniform inshape. Flowers abundant.

Growth habit.--Lateral shoots outwardly spreading, plants eventuallybecoming spherical in overall shape. Moderate to vigorous.

Stem description.--Lateral branch diameter: About 2 mm. Internodelength: 3 to 5 cm. Stem color: 143A becoming brownish with development.Stem texture: Smooth.

Foliage description.--Leaf arrangement: Simple, alternate. Leaf length:About 5 cm. Leaf width: About 1.75 cm. Leaf shape: Linear to spatulate.Leaf apex: Acute. Leaf base: Attenuate, sessile. Leaf margin: Serrate,teeth on linear leaves are further apart than spatulate leaves. Leafaspect: Mostly flat. Leaf texture: Smooth. Leaf color: Young foliage,upper and lower surfaces: 146A. Mature foliage, upper surface: 137A.Mature foliage, lower surface: 147B.

Flower description:

Flowering habit.--Star-shaped flowers arranged singly at lateral apices.Flowers held outwardly. Flowers persistent.

Flower shape.--Tubular with three larger lower petals and two uprightpetals.

Natural flowering season.--Spring through summer.

Quantity of flowers.--Numerous, plants flower continuously.

Flowers.--Diameter: About 2 cm. Height: About 1.5 cm.

Peduncle.--Strength: Flexible and wiry, but hold flowers outwardly.Color: 144A.

Flower bud.--Shape: Oblong. Diameter: About 2 mm. Length: About 1 cm.Color: Whitish green.

Petals.--Arrangement: In a circle, fused. Shape: Lower petals areelliptic and upper petals are narrowly oblong. Quantity per flower:Five. Length, above throat: Lower: About 7.5 mm. Upper: About 5 mm.Width: Lower: About 5 mm. Upper: About 1.5 mm. Apex: Cuspidate. Margin:Entire. Texture: Smooth and satiny. Color: When opening: Upper surface:96C. Lower surfaces: 97B/97C. Fully open: Upper surface: 96B/96C withdark bluish purple spot, close to 89A, at base. Lower surface: 97A.Throat: White background with purple spots and two, white to brightyellow stripes.

Sepals.--Arrangement: Fused into a calyx, star-shaped. Shape: Narrowlylanceolate. Quantity per flower: Five. Calyx length: About 9 mm. Calyxdiameter: About 2 mm. Apex: Acuminate. Margin: Entire. Texture: Smooth.Color: 146A.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: Quantity: Five, fused. Filament color:White. Anther color: Whitish purple. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pistils:Length: About 9 mm. Stigma shape: Round. Stigma color: Purple. Stylecolor: Green. Ovary color: Green.

Disease resistance: Resistance to known pathogens of Lobelia has notbeen observed.

Seed production: Seed production has not been observed.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Lobelia, Lobelia erinus L., plant namedAzuro, as illustrated and described.